The agency won Health, Beauty, Retail and Fashion Campaign of the Year for its work with online fashion brand Want That Trend at the PRmoment Awards at the Hilton in Manchester last night (9th March 2016). The awards recognise outstanding campaigns and exceptional talent and this year attracted over 650 entries.

The campaign for the innovative retailer’s first ever range of Christmas swing dresses, saw the brand catapulted into the mainstream press with coverage on award-winning reality programme The Only Way Is Essex and popular panel show, Celebrity Juice; in addition to core national and consumer print media.

Speaking on the win, founding director Julie Wilson said: “This was the first time Want That Trend had engaged with media. Christmas lead times meant we were challenged to make an instant impact and the team delivered. To be recognised in this category is fantastic and builds on our achievements in media, sport and social media.”

We’re delighted to have been appointed by online retailer, Want That Trend.

The news comes as the womenswear specialist, which launched in April of this year, looks to significantly expand the business in the UK and Canada.

Rule 5 is tasked with delivering a brand communications strategy to include a multi-platform social media campaign, media and blogger relations, celebrity product placement and business profiling.

Speaking on the appointment, Want That Trend founder Victoria Molyneaux said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the launch of Want That Trend, with the business having grown from a one man operation to an international fashion company in six months. As we embark on the next phase of expansion, it is important we have the right business partners in place to support us in further developing the brand and communication strategy.

“Talking to Rule 5, the team’s knowledge of the retail and e-commerce sector was evident. This, combined with their passion for the business and clear and considered approach to building the Want That Trend brand, made them an obvious choice.”

Rule 5 founding director, Julie Wilson, added: “Want That Trend is an incredible success story. Opportunities to work with a retailer at such a pivotal time in the business’ development are rare and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the Want That Trend brand.”

The phrase ‘out with the old and in with the new’ is one commonly associated with the start of a New Year.

This year’s biggest trend predictions aren’t all about the ‘future forward’ however. As The Trend Hunter 2013 Forecast reports, brands looking to innovate will embrace the past as well as the future.

Continuing the fashion for retro design, the organisation predicts “antiqued imagery” akin to the Polaroid finish of yesteryear will be the big advertising influence. Consumers, too, are embracing the “deliberate vintage” effect thanks to the growing number of photography apps such as the market leader, Instagram.

Further drawing on the past, brands will look to engage consumers with a trip down memory lane, developing products and experiences with a strong focus on nostalgia.

In sharp contrast the digital revolution will continue to drive advancements in retail.

Enhancing the shopper experience and achieving competitor stand out is the name of the game with virtual fitting rooms and augmented reality store greeters just a couple of the applications making their way in store.

And in today’s time precious world, convenience is the key to unlocking the potential for growth.

Watches that enable the wearer to socially connect, work as a credit card, game and tell the time aren’t a thing of the future, they’re here and now. Apple, it is rumoured, is working with Intel on a smart watch that could go on sale in the first half of 2013.

And consumers needn’t worry about finding the time to plan a repeat shopping trip. The subscription model so successfully adopted by publishers will, The Trend Hunter predicts, continue to break into the wider consumer market in 2013 with fashion, interior and intimates stores realising the opportunity of ‘subscribed purchases.’

Proving to be an ever popular and increasing trend for 2013 is the roll out of modular restaurants and retail stores. Satisfying consumer demand for new and fresh retail experiences whilst continuing to transform empty units and brighten the UK High Street, this is one trend we’re pleased to see remain in fashion.